Famous cliff-diving site defies closure order

A popular cliff-diving site in Buruanga, Aklan has defied a local government’s order for its permanent closure.
The Ariel’s Point management barred local government personnel tasked to enforce the order from entering the site on Thursday.
“We believe we have the legal right to prevent them from enforcing the order. The [order] was mere harassment,” said Ruby Luces, the diving site manager.
Buruanga mayor Quezon Labindao, who spearheaded the serving of the closure order, was also barred from entering the site.
Reporters were informed about the situation when tension between the site management and the order’s enforcers rose.
The enforcing team, comprising personnel from Bantay Dagat, Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, withdrew when reporters arrived.
About 68 guests — Malaysians, Singaporeans and other tourists — were present at the time.
The police confiscated one of Ariel’s Points tourist service boats for alleged violations.
But Luces refuted the police’s claim that the boat did not have a permit, insisting that they have acquired a permit from the Maritime Industry Authority.
The boat was later released without any penalty upon the Coast Guard’s advise.
“The police know that only the [Coast Guard] can confiscate our boats,” Luces stressed, “and the [Coast Guard] knows we have legitimate papers.”
Ariel’s Point continues to receive tourists as of press time./